Adolphtjs lippmann



UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

ADOLPHUS LIPPMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-ESCAPE. i Y i Specification of Letters Patent No. 27,992, dated April 24, 1860.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADoLrHUs LIPPMANN, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Fire- Escape; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a longitudinal vertical section of my invention when extended and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of ditto, before it is extended. Fig. 3, is a side elevation of the same when it is turned down and ready to be put away.

Similar letters of reference in t-he three views indicate corresponding part-s.

This invention consists, first, in arranging in the center of an extension ladder, a covered passage in such a manner that persons from a building which may be on fire can be assisted to and passed down through said passage without danger of being burned or injured by falling bodies; and my invention consists also in combining with said passage, a platform on the top and a sliding carriage with a windlass in such a manner' that when the ladders are extended and the carriage is raised, the platform enables persons to step into the carriage from a window or any other high place without danger of being precipitated down to the ground; third, in combining with said ladders an inclinedV post, with one or more windlasses, in such a manner that the ladders can be brought in a horizontal, or into an inclined position with the utmost facility.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction and operation with reference to the drawings.

A is a platform, resting on four wheels, B, and being so arranged that it can be drawn easily from place to place. Secured to the top of this platform, and near to one end of the same are the inclined posts or standards C, to which the extension ladders D, are fastened by means of hinges a, sothat they can be turned up to a position shown in Figs. l and 2, or down to a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3. indlasses E, are secured one to either side of the standards C, and ropes Z7, extend from these windlasses, over rollers c, and up on the outside of the frame F, of the ladders, and over rollers d, to the inside, where they are secured to the lower ends of the inner ladders D. Said inner ladders D', are made to slide up and down in the -frame F, with ease, and between these ladders is the passage G, covered over by a curved shieldre, so that persons sliding down in the same are protected against fire or falling bodies. In the inside of this passage, and secured to a rope or chain f, is the carriage H and -a windlass I, on the rear end of the platform A, serves to raise and lower said carriage.

The upper end of the frame of the ladders D, is furnished with a platform J, and chains g, extend from hooks or eyebolts h, on the upper edge of the ladders D, to the front part of the platform A, so as to steady the laders when the same are extended.

The operation is as follows: When not used, my ladders are turned down to a horizontal position, and put away in the engine house or in any other convenient place. In case of fire, the whole device may be easily brought to the desired spot, and the ladders are now brought up to an inclined position. This operation is materially facilitated by the windlasses E, for it will be easily understood by referring to Fig. 3, how rthe lower end of the frame F is compelled to turn down if the ropes b, are wound up on the windlasses, provided the ladders D, are pre vented from sliding up. This, however, may be easily eected by means of a simple hook catching over one of the rungs of the ladders D', and one of the rungs of the ladders D, or in any other convenient manner. After the ladders have thus been raised, the lower ends of the frame F, are secured to the platform A, by means of bolts, or by any other suitable contrivance and the ladders y may now be extended by the aid of the windlasses E in the usual manner. The platform J is brought close up to a window and t-he carriage H is raised, as clearly represented in Fig. 1, and persons from the inside of the building may now enter the carriage with the greatest facility, and without danger of being precipitated down to the ground. The ladders D and D on either side of the pasage G enable the firemen to assist persons while entering the carriage or to bring them on, and the carriage is now lowered down. By these means the lives of the inmates of a building may be saved, no matter how far the flames may of the Windows or from the roof of the building. The Whole device can be built with little expense, and it can be managed With such ease and facility, that it recommends itself to every lire company, and to the public in general, as a simple and most eflicient apparatus for saving life in case of lire.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. Arranging in the center of the extension ladders l), D', a covered passage Gr, substantially as, and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, With the covered passage G, of the platform J and the sliding carriage H, constructed and operating substantially as, and for the purpose specified.

3. The arran ement of the inclined posts or standards in combination With the frame F, of the ladders D and with the Windlasses E, constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

A. LIPPMANN. Witnesses:

W. HAUPT, J. F. BUCKLEY. 

